AIM, correct me if I am wrong, but on May 30th, I might be pulling a "world race first." I will be going full circle and going back towhere I started. My squad started our race in India and that is where I'll be wrapping up my adventure. I have created for myself a "month 12" and it is the same country I started my race on.
As most racers can tell you, it is so hard for us to see the change occurring in ourselves. Our teammates can speak it over us day after day, but it is still hard for us to see it. The true test is what we take away from the race. How is our life post race different than it was before we left? I will get the unique opportunity to, in a sense, get a second chance to do my first ministry over again. That first month, I often let my fear of germs and helplessness hold me back. How will the second round be different? Do those same fears still hold me back? Will those same weaknesses be something I hide away in shame, or will I boast about them so that The Lord can be my strength?
And what about after India? When I return to the states? Today, I was asked by my team how my life would look different when I got home. Here is the answer I gave them, and for those who know me, please hold me accountable.
Before the race, I was self-focused. My life revolved around me. What did I want or need? What was going to benefit me or serve me? That same attitude transferred to my relationship with God. I often wondered how God could serve and benefit me. But this year, God has shown me: a) He is so worthy of my service and love. I, on the other hand, and not worthy of his love and sacrifice and yet he bestows it on me anyways, and b) The joy of bringing His kingdom to earth, of loving others with the love that only comes from him, it brings the most rewarding, truly satisfying, uncircumstantial and everlasting joy. So I want to live out those truths. I want to die to myself. I want to look past myself, fix my eyes on Christ, and allow him to daily reveal his kingdom to me. I want to love with everything I've got. After all, that is what he did for me, isn't it?
